As the heat settles in for the summer like a thick blanket, the Magnolia Center has several events on tap which will offer Jones County residents a chance to enjoy entertainment and cool off at the same time.

Several hundred people enjoyed hot bullriding action Saturday night in the cool comfort of the center, located on Ellisville Boulevard.

A month-long T-ball season finished at the end of June, sponsored by the Laurel Sertoma Club. “They never had rainouts and they enjoyed the air conditioning,” said Carrie Byrd, Magnolia Center manager, which opened in 1998.

Some of the upcoming activities include a bike show with live entertainment; a hamfest with a DX contest, and ham radio equipment for sale. Byrd said she expects at least 1,000 people to attend the event. The Laurel Charity Walking Horse Show, rescheduled from earlier this year, usually draws 500-600 people Byrd said, and about 200 riders.

There will be a bull ride the last weekend of the fair put on by U.S. Rodeo Productions, LLC.

But the “cool” activity Saturday night was a bullriding fund-raising event to help West Jones High School senior Will Graves, who sustained paralyzing injuries in an automobile accident in December. The event was organized by Northeast Jones High School senior Kele Clairmont and his parents.

“There have probably been at least two dozen fund-raising events for Will,” said his mother, Mary Margaret Graves, before the event began Saturday night. “We were gone for so long (to hospitals and rehab), that people did benefits we didn’t even know about. It’s been a true blessing.”

Will and Kele played baseball together for about five years until they were 13. “Will goes to church with Kele,” Mrs. Graves said.

“They’ve been going to church together for about a year and a half, and they’ve become friends.”

She thanked Jones County for its support of her son. “We’ve had tons of support from the community,” she said. “There is no place like Jones County. The people have really come together to help Will. It’s just amazing.”

Will’s West Jones football coach, Scott Pierson, was at the benefit at the Magnolia Center Saturday night. “He’s about as good as they come,” Pierson said of Will. “He’s well raised and has high character and high morals. The size of this crowd tonight shows how much Will and his family have touched peoples’ lives in the community.”

About 28 riders participated Saturday night, including Gus Barlow, Clairmont and Jacob Welch of Laurel; Lane Grayson of Soso; Bret Metheney of Seminary; and Shane Poole of Ellisville.